Speaking of Presentation Tips: Mellody Hobson Has a Few as Well

"I'm amazed by people who don't inject themselves into their presentation," says Mellody Hobson, president, Ariel Investments and Board Member of Estee Lauder, Starbucks and Dreamworks Animation SKG, "It's so bland. You want the uniqueness of who you are to come through."

Blog Note:

Your life is full of events that are easily transferrable into stories to assist you in making your points.  Think about raising your children and teaching them new skills. For example, you taught your son and/or daughter how to ride a bike.  That event is easily transferrable to your work environment.


My son Jack called us all around his bed the day he learned to ride a bike. He thanked his sister for letting him use her bike, since his still had training wheels on.  He thanked me for teaching him. He thanked his mom for her love and support.  I've told that story many times as a reminder to people to thank those who've helped them get better.  

Hobson also recommends a headline-like approach to beginning a presentation, much like a newspaper.   Punch it up right at the start.Tell the audience where you're going to take them then deliver on the proposed journey. 

Blog Note:

Along the way make rooms for surprises. Hey, it worked for you when you were a kid and your parents stopped at the giant peanut sculpture in Georgia during the twenty-hour drive to Florida. When I was a kid we were stuck for three  days in Iuka, Alabama when the family car broke down.  We couldn't wait to get out of there — kind of like your audience if your presentation sucks.

Hobson suggests keeping your presentation narrow.  Like Steve Jobs she suggests talking about no more than three ideas and ideally, one theme.  And, reading from the slides is "the kiss of death."

Blog Note:

As I said yesterday, visuals trump heavy copy every time. Of course, it will require more work for you, because the "word crutches" aren't setting on the PowerPoint slides.  I guarantee, however, your audience will be fully engaged when you stand before artwork that doesn't do your job but only helps amplify your point.  And you can't read off a picture of a mountain!

If you're comfortable with humor and the topic lends itself to humor, use it. Remind yourself the last time you sat through — slept through? — a word-heavy, boring,  overly serious, lengthy, self-important presentation.  Don't force your audience to do the same.  

Check out Comedian Don MacMillan - below - doing a pretty good job of lampooning PowerPoint presentations.